Goddess Sarasvati's - Basant Panchami

                                                 

Goddess Saraswati

                                              Well growing up we did know that Diwali is a festival of Goddess Lakshmi. Where we offer our prayers to her and recite mantras, perform puja to invite her home. But as we were grown enough we got to know that Basant Panchami is celebrated to honor Goddess Saraswati. This year it was celebrated on 16th February 2021.It marks the preparation of the arrival of spring. We wear yellow-colored dresses and eat yellow-colored dishes as this signifies the day of the deity. The nicest thing about Indian culture and tradition is that every festival has a story behind it. It is said that Lord Krishna was very happy with Goddess Saraswati and he granted a boon that you shall be prayed and invoked on Basant Panchami. Hence it's a day of celebrations and Manglik works - weddings, house warming ceremonies all begin with the onset of this festival.

                                               Another legend associated with the festival says that after Kalidasa was left by his wife who was a beautiful princess he planned to kill him in despair. When he was about to commit suicide by drowning himself in a river, Goddess emerged from the same waters and asked him to bathe in it. When Kalidasa took a dip in the river its water gave him wisdom & he became a famous poet, and his works have been celebrated throughout the world.

                                                In Punjab and most western UP, the day involves flying kites that signify freedom and joy. In Maharashtra newlyweds offer their prayers at a temple, wearing yellow clothes on Basant Panchami together. In Rajasthan, people wear jasmine garlands to celebrate & in WB, artists worship their tools in front of the Goddess.

                                                Students all over the country offer their stationary to Saraswati & it is customary to read and write that day. Well after marriage when I moved into the western UP, I was taken aback by the spirit of celebrations people had. A day prior people from age groups would head to buy their favorite kites and terraces were arranged in advance with proper lighting so that the day doesn't end soon. So as early as 6 AM when the sun was out so were the people and their music systems. Songs that I had long forgotten and the latest hits were music to ears all day long. By 11 AM I could see terraces packed with friends and family. I guess barely people are seen downstairs this day and words like Ai bo Katte (in hindi), once u have cut someone's kite is so rampantly used across. This day is about the spirit and energy people attain by flying their favorite colored kites :) May the festivities and spirit to celebrate one never end!! Happy Festival 😊

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla, and generously SPONSORED BY Bugshield Clothing – Don’t be Bugged!